Search Results ra_customers




The RA_CUSTOMERS table is a fundamental entity within Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) Release 12.1.1 and 12.2.2, serving as the primary repository for customer information in the Receivables (AR) module. This table stores comprehensive details about business customers, individuals, and other trading partners, enabling organizations to manage billing, invoicing, collections, and customer interactions efficiently. Below is a detailed analysis of its structure, key attributes, and functional significance in Oracle EBS.

Table Structure and Key Columns

The RA_CUSTOMERS table is a core component of Oracle Receivables, containing over 200 columns that capture customer demographics, contact details, credit information, and transactional history. Some critical columns include:
  • CUSTOMER_ID: A unique identifier for each customer, serving as the primary key.
  • CUSTOMER_NUMBER: A user-defined or system-generated identifier for the customer.
  • CUSTOMER_NAME: The legal or trading name of the customer.
  • CUSTOMER_STATUS: Indicates whether the customer is active, inactive, or on credit hold.
  • ORIG_SYSTEM_REFERENCE: Used for integrations with external systems (e.g., CRM or legacy applications).
  • CREDIT_LIMIT: The maximum credit amount extended to the customer.
  • PAYMENT_TERMS_ID: Links to payment terms defined in RA_TERMS.
  • TAX_CODE: Determines tax applicability (e.g., VAT, GST).

Functional Role in Oracle EBS

The RA_CUSTOMERS table integrates with multiple Oracle EBS modules:
  1. Order Management (OM): Customer records are referenced during order entry, pricing, and fulfillment.
  2. Accounts Receivable (AR): Supports invoicing, receipts, and collections by storing billing addresses and credit data.
  3. General Ledger (GL): Customer transactions post to GL via AR, impacting financial reporting.
  4. Tax Engine: Tax calculations leverage customer-specific tax codes stored in this table.

Integration Points

The table interacts with related entities such as:
  • RA_CUSTOMER_RELATIONSHIPS: Defines hierarchical relationships (e.g., parent-child customers).
  • RA_ADDRESSES: Stores shipping, billing, and contact addresses linked via CUSTOMER_ID.
  • RA_SITE_USES: Tracks customer locations for invoicing and shipping purposes.

Customization and Extensibility

Oracle EBS allows extending RA_CUSTOMERS through:
  • Descriptive Flexfields (DFFs): Adds context-sensitive fields for industry-specific data.
  • API-Based Extensions: Custom PL/SQL logic can enforce validation rules or trigger workflows.

Data Security and Access

Access to RA_CUSTOMERS is controlled via Oracle’s Function Security and Data Security models. Role-based privileges restrict operations (e.g., create, update) to authorized users, ensuring compliance with data governance policies.

Conclusion

The RA_CUSTOMERS table is a cornerstone of Oracle EBS’s customer-centric processes, enabling end-to-end management of customer data across financial and operational modules. Its robust design supports scalability, integration, and regulatory compliance, making it indispensable for organizations leveraging Oracle EBS 12.1.1 or 12.2.2.